Cup Match

 Westward Ho! Cup Final

 

Bude  3    V    Boca Seniors 1 
 

Bude came from behind to clinch a dramatic win in the Westward Ho! cup final. Boca Seniors have won the cup for the previous three years running and were on their way to winning their fourth after 15 minutes when a headed corner was directed in to the far post and in the melee if found it's way in to the back of the net.  Most of the game was being played like a typical end of season game though with both teams struggling to find the spark that was going to push them on and a pretty even game saw few clear cut chances. With the clock ticking down Billy Hopcroft was brought down inside the box, Jason Ferrett took it on his shoulders to put the keeper the wrong way , Bude keeper Josh Colwill then made a great last minute block with his legs to send the game in to extra time.  The spark had come and Bude looked a lot more dangerous with the Boca legs finally showing tiredness.  Just before the first 15 minutes had passed, Hopcroft was clear through down the right, getting inside the box he looked up and picked the run of Tommy 'Mids' Statton out who side footed in to the bottom right corner six yards out. Hopcroft was denied his second goal when Ferrett was put clear of the defence, as the keeper came out he squared it to Hopcroft who finished well only to see his effort ruled out for offside, not by the assistant ref who was in line but the referee who was 40 yards behind play.  With the game becoming tense Hopcroft was again kicked inside the box and a second penalty awarded,  Hopcroft this time buried from the spot for a superb victory which saw Budes Dan Starkey receiving the 'Man Of The Match' trophy for his efforts in defence and also as a striker.